CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON

 

VI         MOTHERWELL, 2nd MARCH, 2004

 

At MOTHERWELL: DALZIEL ST. ANDREW`S PARISH CHURCH HALLS on the Second Day of March, Two Thousand and Four years, on which day the PRESBYTERY OF HAMILTON met and was constituted in prayer.

 

Post preces sederunt

 

25.       SEDERUNT

            Mr. David Alexander, Moderator, the Rev. Shaw J. Paterson, Clerk and others as per signed lists in retentis.   (Total –  44 Ministers;   71 Elders).

 

26.       CONGRATULATIONS

            The Moderator offered the congratulations of the Court to the Rev. George Baird on the 60th anniversary of his ordination.

 

27.       WELCOME

            The Moderator addressed appropriate words of welcome to the Rev. Amelia Davidson, recently inducted Minister to Coatbridge: Calder;  and the Rev. Graham Raeburn, recently inducted Minister to Newmains: Coltness Memorial and Bonkle.

 

28.       MINUTES

            The Minutes of Meetings III, IV and V (2004) were read and approved after an amendment to Minute III as follows:

            VACANCY BUSINESS – HAMILTON: ST. ANDREWS – Add the following paragraph:

            “PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by the Rev. Arthur P. Barrie, Convener.

            It was unanimously agreed:

            The Presbytery agrees to sist proceedings in the vacancy at Hamilton: St. Andrew`s and to await a further report of the Parish Planning Committee”.

 

29.       INTIMATIONS

            Intimations were made.

 

30.       COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

            Pursuant to a resolution entered in the Minutes of the Meeting of 3rd February, 2004, the Presbytery hereby appoints, nominates and appoints:’

            Rev. Arthur P. Barrie                           Rev. George MacDonald

            Rev. Allan B. Brown                            Rev. W. Bruce McDowall

            Rev. David G. Burt                              Rev. Kevin Mackenzie

            Rev. Klaus O. F. Buwert                     Rev. Dr. John L. McPake

            Rev. Margaret F. Currie                      Rev. Derek H. N. Pope

            Rev. James M. Gibson                       Rev. Scott Raby

            Rev. Robert A. Hamilton                     Rev. Rosemary A. Smith

            Rev. Peter N. Johnson                        Rev. Una B. Stewart

Rev. Michael G. Lyall                          Rev. Ian G. Thom

            Rev. Iain C. Murdoch                          Rev. Phyllis M. Wilson

                                                                        Very Rev. Dr. Hugh R. Wyllie

            Ministers with –

            Blantyre: Old                                       Shotts: Calderhead Erskine

            Blantyre: St. Andrew`s                        Airdrie: New Wellwynd

            Hamilton: South lw Quarter                Chapelhall

            Strathaven: West                                Coatbridge: St. Andrew`s

            Strathaven: East lw Glasford              East Kilbride: Mossneuk

            Motherwell: Manse Road                    East Kilbride: Westwood

            Motherwell: South Dalziel                   Bothwell

            Wishaw: Old                                       Uddingston: Park

 

            Mr. David S. Alexander, Mr. J. David Park and Mr. William Turner.

            Ruling Elders

Mr. J. Paul Cathcart- Member of the Diaconate.

 

            Its Commissioners to the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicted to meet at Edinburgh, the Fifteenth Day of May next to come or when and where it shall happen to sit, willing them to repair thereto, attend all diets of the same, and there to consult, vote and determine in all matters that come before them to the Glory of God, and the good of His Church, according to the Word of God, the Confession of Faith, and agreeable to the constitution of this Church, as they will be answerable;  and that they report diligence on their return therefrom.

 

31.       THE GUILD

            Mrs. Margaret Taylor, Convener of Hamilton South Presbyterial Council of the Guild addressed the Court on the current activities of the Guild both locally and nationally.

 

32.       CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Co-ordinating Committee which was given in by the Rev. Margaret F. Currie, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery notes with concern recent developments concerning the future of former Church Extension Charges and assures such charges within the bounds of its support.

3.         The Presbytery appoints the Rev. R. M. Kent, Rev. R. A. Hamilton and Messrs. J. Dickson, D. M. Gray and A. Porter as its Vacancy Procedure Committee.

4.                   The Presbytery appoints the Rev. J. L. McPake together with Mr. J. M. Hunter and Mrs. C. Horne as the Support Group for the Interim Ministry at Newarthill lw Carfin.

 

33.       CHURCH AND SOCIAL INTEREST COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Church and Social Interest Committee which was given in by the Rev. J.Grier, Vice-Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed :

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

 

34.       STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee which was given in by Mr. David Watt, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

  1. The Presbytery receives the report.

2.      The Presbytery invites expressions of interest or applications from, or alternatively recommendations of, suitably qualified and experienced members of the Church for appointment as Presbytery Treasurer.  Such applications or recommendations should be submitted to either the Presbytery Clerk or Committee Convener.

 

35.       PASTORAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE       

The Presbytery called for the report of the Pastoral Support Committee which was given in by Mr. Andrew Walsh, Convener.
           

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery receives the report anent Motherwell: Crosshill and notes the ongoing work of the Congregation and in particular the mature attitude to the consideration of a three way union in the town.  Presbytery commends the work and witness of the Congregation and wishes them well as they consider an uncertain future so positively.

3.         The Presbytery receives and approves the report anent Bellshill: West and commends the Minister, Elders, Office Bearers and Leaders for their commitment and dedication in fulfilling its function as Church in the Community.  It notes with interest their innovative approach in using a rota system for the appointment of Leaders and Office Bearers.  It is recommended that the Congregational Board, in co-operation with the Minister and Kirk Session, adopt a Sunday each year to address the needs of Christian Stewardship.

 

36.       PARISH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Development Committee which was given in by the Rev. K. Buwert, Convener.

 

It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery reconstitutes the Management Group for the Congregational Development Officer as consisting of 6 persons, one from each of the following Committees – Parish Development, Stewardship and Finance, Pastoral Support, Ministry Development, and two Local Area Mission Committees serving for one year.

3.         The Presbytery invites nominations for a Youth Representative from the Presbytery to the General Assembly,  Names of young people aged 18-25 to be forwarded to the Rev. K. Buwert by 17th March.

4.         The Presbytery invites further Sunday Schools to take part in the 7-a-side football competition on Sunday, 28th March, reminding them they must register before the event.

 

37.       PARISH PLANNING COMMITTEE

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Parish Planning Committee which was given in by Mr. David Findlay, Convener.

After discussion on Deliverance 2, it was agreed to amend paragraphs 1 and 3 of the “Recommendations”  to read as follows:

“1.The Presbytery should implement the existing plan when the next vacancy occurs at Strathaven: East church and should provide the necessary assistance to the congregation on the discussions that will follow.  Strathaven: West is a terminable appointment.

3.The Parish Planning Committee should not stand in the way of any justifiable expenditure.”

 

It was unanimously agreed :

           

1.         The Presbytery receives the report.

2.         The Presbytery approves the Parish Planning report anent Strathaven and approves the recommendations contained therein, subject to the concurrence of the General Assembly`s Committee on Parish Appraisal.

3.         NEWARTHILL

            The Presbytery approves the request by Newarthill to replace the roof tiling and redecorate church and halls at a cost of £21,173.50 inclusive of VAT based on Contractors` tenders.  Approval is also granted to seek grants and loans which may be available.

4.         HAMILTON: GILMOUR AND WHITEHILL

            The Presbytery approves the request by Hamilton: Gilmour and Whitehill to replace the boiler at a cost of £9,050 based on Contractors` tenders.  Approval is also granted for the release of funds held on behalf of the congregation by the General Trustees.

5.         COATBRIDGE: BLAIRHILL DUNDYVAN

            The Presbytery approves the request by Coatbridge: Blairhill Dundyvan to replace the remainder of the windows of the manse at a cost of £5,650 based on Contractors` tenders.  Funds are to hand.

6.         CHAPELHALL

            The Presbytery approves the Professional Second Follow-on Property Survey and Condition Report on Chapelhall and awaits the response of the Office Bearers to the contents and recommendations.

7.         DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995

            The Presbytery recommends all congregations to put in place by 15th October 2004 all reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access and find and use suitable lavatory accommodation no less easily than non-disabled person.

ADDENDUM

HAMILTON: SOUTH

The Presbytery approves the request by Hamilton: South to mark their Centenary by having floodlighting fitted to the Church building at a cost of £4,000 inclusive of VAT based on Contractors` estimates and paid for by South Lanarkshire Council.  Prior approval of the Consultative Committee on Artistic Matters is noted.

 

38.       CONSULTATION ON THE BARRIER ACT

            The Presbytery called for the report of the Sub-Committee of the Co-ordinating Committee, tabled by Sheriff Hugh Neilson, Convener.

 

            It was unanimously agreed:

 

1.                  The Presbytery receives the report.

2.                  The Presbytery urges Presbyters to advise the Convener before the end of March of any comments they may have on the proposed responses.

3.                  The Presbytery remits the matter to the Committee to submit a response to the Board taking due account of comments made by Presbyters.

 

39.              CONFERENCE SESSION

            The Moderator invited the Rev. Dr Martin Scott, from the Department of Ministry to address the Presbytery on the subject of “An Overview of the Church of Scotland’s Enquiry and Assessment Scheme”.

           

40.       FAITHSHARE PARTNER

            The Moderator paid tribute to Miss Magnolia Mendoza who was now returning to the Philippines to continue her ministry after a period of six months spent within the bounds of the  Presbytery.   Miss Mendoza responded by singing a  blessing.

           

41.       ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business the Presbytery adjourned at 9.05 p.m. to meet for Ordinary Business within Motherwell: Dalziel St. Andrew`s Parish Church Halls on Tuesday, 4th May, 2004 at 7.00 p.m.

 

            …………………………………………………………….

                                                                                                              Moderator

 

                                                                                    …………………………………………………………….

                                                                                                            Presbytery Clerk